At Montreat, hiking is more than a recreational activity; it is an opportunity to experience God’s presence through the beauty of creation. The Montreat Wilderness has long offered space for reflection, renewal, and reconnection through its forests, streams, and over 20 miles of hiking trails. If you’re new to the area, or new to hiking in general, you might not know where to start as you go about enjoying this resource. To that end, we have outlined a few tips and tricks below to get you started on your own journey in the Montreat Wilderness.
What is the Montreat Wilderness?
Over twenty years ago, Montreat Conference Center partnered with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to place approximately 2,460 acres of pristine wilderness under a conservation easement. Through this action, Montreat permanently protected this land from development and ensured that our wilderness spaces could be enjoyed for generations to come.
This area is formally referred to as the Montreat Wilderness and includes all of Montreat Conference Center’s hiking trails. The Montreat Wilderness joins local mountain preserves and several thousand acres of private land in preserving the wildness and unique ecology of the entire region.
Which trail should I pick?
Montreat has fifteen trails to choose from which range in length and difficulty. Lookout Trail is one of our most popular trails, featuring beautiful mountaintop views at its peak. However, while it might seem short, this trail is not for the faint of heart and includes some moderate to difficult sections.
For those seeking an easier hiking experience, we suggest Lower Piney Trail. At just over one mile out and back, this trail has an easy rating and is perfect for hikers of all ages.
If you are looking for more of a challenge, the Rocky Head Trail follows a natural, sometimes rocky, path through hardwoods and pine trees and offers glimpses of nearby mountain ridges. You can access the trailhead through the Montreat Family Campground.
Parking
Limited parking is available at the Graybeard and Lookout Trailheads. However, we suggest that visitors make a $5/day or $100/year donation to our Wilderness Operations and Maintenance Fund to utilize these parking spaces. If the trailhead parking lots are full, free parking is always available in the Anderson Auditorium parking lot. Please do not park in unmarked spaces or on the side of the road as this can create hazardous conditions for pedestrians and other drivers and may result in your car being towed.
Always hike with caution!
Please be aware that the terrain on some trails has changed or shifted following Hurricane Helene. Specifically, the Graybeard Trail is still under development and includes a recently added section just below Trestle Road. We advise all visitors to exercise extra caution, particularly when navigating the bridges, boardwalks, and stairs. Similarly, the Harry Bryan Trail remains closed at this time. We ask that you not access closed trails for any reason without explicit permission from the Mountain Retreat Association.
Whether you are here for a conference, a retreat, a quiet weekend in the mountains, or simply live locally, consider this your invitation to step outside and explore. We hope the information provided here assures you that you do not need to be an experienced hiker to begin enjoying all that the Montreat Wilderness has to offer! Use the link below to learn more about this resource or to explore other hiking trails in the Montreat Wilderness.
This article was originally published in the February edition of Montreat Conference Center’s email newsletter Stewarding God’s Creation which highlights information related to the Montreat Wilderness. Sign up to receive Stewarding God’s Creation directly in your inbox by clicking here.